Matthew McConaughey shedding 30 pounds for new role

Actor Matthew McConaughey is shedding the pounds to play a character with HIV in the upcoming movie “The Dallas Buyers Club.”

The actor is set to portray real-life American cowboy Ron Woodruff, who smuggles life-saving drugs across the Mexican border after contracting the disease during the 1980s.

The project is due to begin filming in September, and now McConaughey, who recently beefed up to play a fit male stripper in “Magic Mike,” has been forced to slim down for the part.

He tells Larry King’s new “Ora” TV web series, “I’m losing some weight. I’ve got a role coming up in the middle of September. I’ve lost about 15 pounds, I’ve gotta lose about 15 more. I should not look healthy by the time I’m doing (filming) this.”

The 42-year-old still has a long way to go and the hard-working star admits the strict diet has already taken a toll on his health, adding, “It’s a bit of a spiritual cleanse, mental cleanse. (I’m) drinking a lot of tea. It takes a while for your body to understand that it has to feed off of itself and that you’re not going to give it something else from the outside.”

Click through the gallery to see other stars who have transformed their bodies for a film role:

Jake Gyllenhaal lost 30 pounds to play the sociopath photographer in 2014's "Nightcrawler," eating as few calories as possible. Then he began intensive training to bulk up — and we mean way up — to play a boxer in "Southpaw." He spent six months working out six hours a day.

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Jake Gyllenhaal lost 30 pounds to play the sociopath photographer in 2014's "Nightcrawler," eating as few calories as possible. Then he began intensive training to bulk up — and we mean way up — to play a boxer in "Southpaw." He spent six months working out six hours a day.

Jake Gyllenhaal lost 30 pounds to play the sociopath photographer in...2014's "Nightcrawler," eating as few calories as possible. Then he...began intensive training to bulk up — and we mean way up — to play...a boxer in "Southpaw." He spent six months working out six hours...a day.

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Chuck Zlotnick / Associated Press

Jake Gyllenhaal in "Nightcrawler."

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Jake Gyllenhaal in "Nightcrawler."

Jake Gyllenhaal in "Nightcrawler."

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Scott Garfield / The Weinstein Company. All Rights reserved.

Jake Gyllenhaal in "Southpaw."

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Jake Gyllenhaal in "Southpaw."

Jake Gyllenhaal in "Southpaw."

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Albert L. Ortega / Getty Images

Matthew McConaughey lost almost 50 pounds to play a man with HIV/AIDS in "Dallas Buyers Club" by severely restricting his calorie intake and exercising. He says his vision was impacted by the weight loss. But hey, he won an Oscar.

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Matthew McConaughey lost almost 50 pounds to play a man with HIV/AIDS in "Dallas Buyers Club" by severely restricting his calorie intake and exercising. He says his vision was impacted by the weight loss. But hey, he won an Oscar.

Matthew McConaughey lost almost 50 pounds to play a man with HIV/AIDS...in "Dallas Buyers Club" by severely restricting his calorie intake and...exercising. He says his vision was impacted by the weight loss. But...hey, he won an Oscar.

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Anne Marie Fox / Associated Press

Matthew McConaughey in "Dallas Buyers Club."

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Matthew McConaughey in "Dallas Buyers Club."

Matthew McConaughey in "Dallas Buyers Club."

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NBC / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

We best knew Chris Pratt as the adorably schlubby Andy on "Parks and Recreation."

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We best knew Chris Pratt as the adorably schlubby Andy on "Parks and Recreation."

We best knew Chris Pratt as the adorably schlubby Andy on "Parks and...Recreation."

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Uncredited / Associated Press

Then he went and lost 60 pounds and trained for five months to look like this in "Guardians Of The Galaxy."

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Then he went and lost 60 pounds and trained for five months to look like this in "Guardians Of The Galaxy."

Then he went and lost 60 pounds and trained for five months to look...like this in "Guardians Of The Galaxy."

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Jemal Countess / Getty Images

Anne Hathaway recently said that she lost too much weight — 25 pounds — for her role as Fantine in "Les Miserables."
She said, “I lost the first 10 (pounds) in three weeks through a detox and then I lost the subsequent 15 in 14 days by doing food deprivation and exercise, which I don’t recommend."

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Anne Hathaway recently said that she lost too much weight — 25 pounds — for her role as Fantine in "Les Miserables."
She said, “I lost the first 10 (pounds) in three weeks through a detox and then I lost the subsequent 15 in 14 days by doing food deprivation and exercise, which I don’t recommend."

Anne Hathaway recently said that she lost too much weight — 25...pounds — for her role as Fantine in "Les Miserables."
She said,...“I lost the first 10 (pounds) in three weeks through a detox and...then I lost the subsequent 15 in 14 days by doing food deprivation and...exercise, which I don’t recommend."

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Watchtower Films

Anne Hathaway in "Les Miserables."

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Anne Hathaway in "Les Miserables."

Anne Hathaway in "Les Miserables."

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Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Actress Charlize Theron gained 30 pounds and wore prosthetic teeth for role as serial killer Aileen Wuornos in 2003's "Monster." She won an Oscar for the performance.

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Actress Charlize Theron gained 30 pounds and wore prosthetic teeth for role as serial killer Aileen Wuornos in 2003's "Monster." She won an Oscar for the performance.

A relative unknown actress at the time, Hilary Swank transformed into Brandon Teena, a non-operative transgender young man who was beaten, raped and murdered, in the film "Boys Don't Cry." She won an Oscar.

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A relative unknown actress at the time, Hilary Swank transformed into Brandon Teena, a non-operative transgender young man who was beaten, raped and murdered, in the film "Boys Don't Cry." She won an Oscar.

A relative unknown actress at the time, Hilary Swank transformed into...Brandon Teena, a non-operative transgender young man who was beaten,...raped and murdered, in the film "Boys Don't Cry." She won an Oscar.

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Fox Searchlight Pictures / SFC

Hilary Swank in "Boys Don't Cry."

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Hilary Swank in "Boys Don't Cry."

Hilary Swank in "Boys Don't Cry."

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Mike Coppola / 2011 Getty Images

Renee Zellweger gained close to 30 pounds for her role as British singleton Bridget Jones in 2001's "Bridget Jones' Diary."
She tells the Daily Mail, "It sounds like heaven," she said. "For two days it's bliss and then you're full, OK? And you can then indulge all your fantasies about over-eating.
"Fantasies about non-stop chocolate consumption or your fantasies about ordering the pizza and the spaghetti and the garlic bread.
"Then after a week your glucose levels are going crazy. You're up and down and all over the place. It doesn't feel good, and no one wants to hear that, but it's the truth."

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Renee Zellweger gained close to 30 pounds for her role as British singleton Bridget Jones in 2001's "Bridget Jones' Diary."
She tells the Daily Mail, "It sounds like heaven," she said. "For two days it's bliss and then you're full, OK? And you can then indulge all your fantasies about over-eating.
"Fantasies about non-stop chocolate consumption or your fantasies about ordering the pizza and the spaghetti and the garlic bread.
"Then after a week your glucose levels are going crazy. You're up and down and all over the place. It doesn't feel good, and no one wants to hear that, but it's the truth."

Renee Zellweger gained close to 30 pounds for her role as British...singleton Bridget Jones in 2001's "Bridget Jones' Diary."
She...tells the Daily Mail, "It sounds like heaven," she said. "For two days...it's bliss and then you're full, OK? And you can then indulge all your...fantasies about over-eating.
"Fantasies about non-stop chocolate...consumption or your fantasies about ordering the pizza and the...spaghetti and the garlic bread.
"Then after a week your glucose...levels are going crazy. You're up and down and all over the place. It...doesn't feel good, and no one wants to hear that, but it's the...truth."

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Miramax 2001

Renee Zellweger in "Bridget Jones's Diary."

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Renee Zellweger in "Bridget Jones's Diary."

Renee Zellweger in "Bridget Jones's Diary."

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Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images

For Tom Hanks' Oscar-nominated role in "Cast Away," the actor took time off after filming the first half of the film so he could lose 45 pounds and grow his hair out.

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For Tom Hanks' Oscar-nominated role in "Cast Away," the actor took time off after filming the first half of the film so he could lose 45 pounds and grow his hair out.

For Tom Hanks' Oscar-nominated role in "Cast Away," the actor took...time off after filming the first half of the film so he could lose 45...pounds and grow his hair out.

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20th Century Fox / SFC

"Cast Away" Tom Hanks.

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"Cast Away" Tom Hanks.

"Cast Away" Tom Hanks.

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Michael Buckner / Getty Images For Fast Company

A far cry from his pretty boy Jordan Catalano character on "My So-Called Life," actor/musician Jared Leto gained more than 65 pounds to play to John Lennon's killer Mark David Chapman in the 2007 film "Chapter 27." He gained the weight so quickly, he developed gout.

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A far cry from his pretty boy Jordan Catalano character on "My So-Called Life," actor/musician Jared Leto gained more than 65 pounds to play to John Lennon's killer Mark David Chapman in the 2007 film "Chapter 27." He gained the weight so quickly, he developed gout.

A far cry from his pretty boy Jordan Catalano character on "My...So-Called Life," actor/musician Jared Leto gained more than 65 pounds...to play to John Lennon's killer Mark David Chapman in the 2007 film..."Chapter 27." He gained the weight so quickly, he developed gout.

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JoJo Whilden / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jared Leto stars as John Lennon assassin Mark David Chapman in "Chapter 27."

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Jared Leto stars as John Lennon assassin Mark David Chapman in "Chapter 27."

Rooney Mara transformed herself into "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"'s Lisbeth Sander by getting multiple piercings (including her nipple), shaving her eyebrows and losing a lot of weight.

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Rooney Mara transformed herself into "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"'s Lisbeth Sander by getting multiple piercings (including her nipple), shaving her eyebrows and losing a lot of weight.

Rooney Mara transformed herself into "The Girl With the Dragon...Tattoo"'s Lisbeth Sander by getting multiple piercings (including her...nipple), shaving her eyebrows and losing a lot of weight.

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Baldur Bragason / Sony Pictures

Rooney Mara in "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."

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Rooney Mara in "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."

Rooney Mara in "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."

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Michael Buckner / Getty Images

Felicity Huffman won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of a pre-operative transsexual in 2005's "Transamerica."

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Felicity Huffman won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of a pre-operative transsexual in 2005's "Transamerica."

Felicity Huffman won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar for...her portrayal of a pre-operative transsexual in 2005's "Transamerica."

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IFC Films / The Weinstein Company

Felicity Huffman in "Transamerica."

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Felicity Huffman in "Transamerica."

Felicity Huffman in "Transamerica."

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Mike Coppola / Getty Images for DirecTV

Actress Glenn Close spent a good amount of time in the makeup chair in order to turn into Albert Nobbs, a 19th century Irish woman who lives as a man, in the movie of the same name.

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Actress Glenn Close spent a good amount of time in the makeup chair in order to turn into Albert Nobbs, a 19th century Irish woman who lives as a man, in the movie of the same name.

Actress Glenn Close spent a good amount of time in the makeup chair in...order to turn into Albert Nobbs, a 19th century Irish woman who lives...as a man, in the movie of the same name.

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Patrick Redmond / Roadside Attractions

Glenn Close in "Albert Nobbs."

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Glenn Close in "Albert Nobbs."

Glenn Close in "Albert Nobbs."

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Michael Buckner / Getty Images For BET

Singer Mariah Carey is rarely seen sans full makeup, hair and glitter, but for her role in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," she was decidedly unglam, going without makeup, as well as getting undereye bags and a hint of a mustache.

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Singer Mariah Carey is rarely seen sans full makeup, hair and glitter, but for her role in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire," she was decidedly unglam, going without makeup, as well as getting undereye bags and a hint of a mustache.

Singer Mariah Carey is rarely seen sans full makeup, hair and glitter,...but for her role in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire,"...she was decidedly unglam, going without makeup, as well as getting...undereye bags and a hint of a mustache.

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Anne Marie Fox / Lionsgate

Mariah Carey in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."

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Mariah Carey in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."

Mariah Carey in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."

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Getty Images

For his role as neo-Nazi skinhead Derek Vinyard in 1998's "American History X," Edward Norton gained 30 pounds worth of muscle.

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For his role as neo-Nazi skinhead Derek Vinyard in 1998's "American History X," Edward Norton gained 30 pounds worth of muscle.

For his role as neo-Nazi skinhead Derek Vinyard in 1998's "American...History X," Edward Norton gained 30 pounds worth of muscle.

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NewLine

Edward Norton in "American History X."

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Edward Norton in "American History X."

Edward Norton in "American History X."

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tom Cruise strapped on a fake belly and balding wig for his role as movie mogul Les Grossman in Ben Stiller's "Tropic Thunder."

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Tom Cruise strapped on a fake belly and balding wig for his role as movie mogul Les Grossman in Ben Stiller's "Tropic Thunder."

Tom Cruise strapped on a fake belly and balding wig for his role as...movie mogul Les Grossman in Ben Stiller's "Tropic Thunder."